Chapter 751: We Can Talk About Life
“Everyone has different interests, but as for me, I’m only interested in research. For instance, you-I’m genuinely interested in you! Although we’re not getting along very well right now, I’m really pleased to have met you. I’m dying to know what has happened to you…” The Researcher’s eyes gradually became more fervent as he looked at Ling Mo. As he talked, he even started to laugh foolishly, “I’ve never imagined a day would come when a Zombie would be interested in my research. It’s incredible!”
“In reality, there’s nothing incredible about it at all…” Ling Mo thought to himself.
Lan Lan also looked at her dad in frustration. Her daughter’s neck was still being squeezed by someone, and he was there clapping his hands and laughing hysterically!
This isn’t just about not getting along; we’ve essentially been captured!
However, even though this Researcher’s behavior and thoughts seemed a bit mad, he did know quite a lot.
According to him, when the disaster struck, he was leading a team to attend a seminar at the Medical University. Lan Lan also accompanied him as family.
Just two days into the meeting, the Cataclysm broke out. Both he and Lan Lan turned out to be among the luckier ones; neither of them mutated nor immediately became food for the Zombies. On the contrary, Lan Lan awakened her Superpower a few days later, which increased their survival chances.
But Ling Mo sharply noticed that when the Researcher mentioned Lan Lan’s awakening, the girl hanging on his arm immediately pouted in discontent.
Thinking about the Researcher’s behavior, Ling Mo suddenly felt some sympathy for Lan Lan.
She hadn’t been dissected; it must be because of the father-daughter bond!
However, arm pulling and eyelid checking must have happened without exception…
“Maybe it’s because Lan Lan and I are both quite resilient, so we not only saved ourselves but also found many teachers and students, as well as another Scholar who was there for the seminar,” the Researcher sighed and remarked.
“Clearly, it’s because you two are denser than others!” thought Ling Mo.
“Everyone was quite desperate, and Lan Lan was the only superhuman among us, so surviving was incredibly difficult. However, about ten days later, things took a turn for the better. A squad of fully-armed Survivors appeared. They found us and even had a list of names, with mine being the first. I felt something was unusual about them, so I paid special attention afterward,” the Researcher continued.
Searching for people with a list? And just ten days after the disaster broke out? Ling Mo immediately became interested.
If there were no surprises, this group of Survivors was likely the early formation of Niepan.
“They were a small squad at the time, not many people, but very disciplined. I later realized it was actually a form of fear. I asked them why they had this list and why they specifically sought me out, and they said it was for the future. I didn’t quite understand then, but soon Niepan was established, the Experimental Group was formed, and I knew what they wanted from me. The teachers and students rescued at that time were also a.s.signed to the Experimental Group, and I became the Deputy Team Leader. That Scholar who attended the seminar with me became the Team Leader,” the Researcher explained.
“Why weren’t you the Team Leader?” Ling Mo asked curiously.
“Being the Team Leader is a ha.s.sle. I couldn’t be bothered to compete with that old rogue who only chases after fame and fortune,” the Researcher said disdainfully.
“You’re quite the pervert yourself…” Ling Mo rolled his eyes. How could he self-righteously condemn others…
The Deputy Team Leader was essentially a nominal position. After joining the Experimental Group, the Researcher became fully immersed in his research and was not very clear on Niepan’s developmental process.
“But I think the Big Boss of Niepan must be a very capable person. Think about it: from just over a dozen people initially, to hundreds later, and now possibly even thousands. Anything I need, they can find-from mutation snakes to Senior Zombies, and even the Progenitor! Just considering that they were able to find firearms and ammunition at the onset of the disaster and risk their lives to find me shows that the Big Boss has connections and is very determined. He is focused on future development, not just short-term survival.”
The Researcher’s eyes s.h.i.+fted from fervor to a rare hint of dread as he continued, “I later heard that the Big Boss sacrificed seventeen people to come find me. These were the original Survivors who had been with him from the start, but they all died one by one on the way to the Medical University. If he weren’t a Superhuman himself, he likely wouldn’t have been able to keep them under control. Sadly, those people had no choice but to follow him; without him, they would have been dead anyway.”
His tone became eerie, and he spoke with a mysterious air, “But even so, those people had weapons and could have easily killed him. So, tell me, how did he manage to keep them in check?”
Ling Mo felt a chill in his heart and shook his head.
“Well, I don’t know either… Don’t be mad at me. What I mean is, it shows that he’s a ruthless person,” the Researcher concluded.
Seeing Ling Mo remaining silent, the Researcher suddenly rolled his eyes and said, “If he found out about your existence, he’d definitely dissect you. But if I keep you hidden…”
“Wouldn’t you still dissect me?” Ling Mo asked, rolling his eyes.
“Why would I dissect you? You’re not physically mutated, right? A brain dissection would be a waste too, so we could talk about life instead… I could introduce myself first; you can call me Old Lan…”
Old Lan’s tone made Ling Mo’s skin crawl. This person’s interests were definitely off.
“Well, you are a rather creative and capable pervert,” Ling Mo said.
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” Old Lan asked.
Ling Mo stared at Old Lan, with a slight smirk forming on his lips.
While sneaking into the Experimental Group, he had only intended to look at some experiment Reports and find the Progenitor.
But upon discovering this Researcher, Ling Mo had other ideas.
The crazy plan that had already formed in his mind now floated to the surface.
“Actually…” Ling Mo decided to go all out and chose the most outrageous thing, “I’ve regained some of my humanity.”
“Wha-what?!” As expected, Old Lan jumped up immediately at those words.
“I didn’t hear that wrong, did I?” Old Lan looked like he was about to pounce. “I’ve been researching this for a while and have only scratched the surface. How did you…?”
“Scratched the surface!” Ling Mo immediately caught that term.
So, he had also been researching Zombies regaining their humanity!
Even a mere breakthrough would be better than making no progress at all!
“Look, I didn’t eat her, nor did I eat what you gave me,” Ling Mo said calmly, trying to keep his composure.
“Right… right! And Zombies don’t lie!” Old Lan’s expression grew more excited, constantly rubbing his hands together. “Why didn’t I figure it out before? Was it because those Zombies were too weak? Were they just too stupid?”
“Why are you blaming the Zombies…” Ling Mo replied, speechless.
“No, you must stay with me… Here’s the plan! I’ll secretly hide you here. I’ll give you food, and… I can even teach you research! I can help you become stronger, understand yourself better!” Old Lan said urgently.
“Are you crazy? He’s a Zombie!” Lan Lan shouted.
“Lan Lan, do you know how rare this opportunity is? I’ve always wanted to research this; it might help me understand the nature of Zombies! Don’t worry, I’ll move you to another building. You’ll be safe…” Old Lan hastily rea.s.sured her.
Ling Mo hadn’t expected Old Lan to be this insane, but it showed his dedication.
This person had truly gone mad in his pursuit of research…
“That’s impossible!” Ling Mo rejected firmly. He wasn’t some lab rat sent for dissection. “But we can come up with a compromise.”
“What’s that?” Old Lan’s face lit up with renewed energy after a moment of disappointment.
“Why don’t you come with me?” Ling Mo managed to force a smile.
Old Lan’s expression froze instantly. A few seconds later, he awkwardly twisted his mouth. “That…”
Ling Mo wasn’t in a rush. He was convinced that this maniac couldn’t resist the temptation.
Just like some people love money so much that they’ll jump off a cliff for it without hesitation.
And to Old Lan, Ling Mo was a gold mine, something he couldn’t ignore.
“Take your time to think about it. By the way, what was that thing that slowed my reaction down?” Ling Mo asked.
Old Lan was still in a daze. Upon hearing the question, he merely raised his hand and pointed.
Ling Mo, carrying Lan Lan, walked over and opened the cabinet, revealing a semi-congealed blood-red gel.
“What is this?” Ling Mo examined it closely, turning it over in his hand.
Lan Lan, feeling somewhat frustrated, replied, “It was extracted from a mutated Zombie. It lasts a long time but needs to be stored for a while before it takes effect. Even if you take it now, the Interference won’t immediately go away.”
Ling Mo felt a slight tingle in his palm and was glad it wasn’t his main body handling this stuff.
“Got it,” Ling Mo said, putting the gel into a small bag, wrapping it a couple of times, and then tucking it into his pocket.
Although Lan Lan hadn’t turned around, she noticed Ling Mo’s actions and appeared conflicted. “I mean, what kind of humanity have you actually regained?”
“Just the usual,” Ling Mo replied calmly.
He positioned Lan Lan to the side and mentally connected with the master ball.
At this point, the master ball was already on the Fifth Floor…
The master ball hid in the shadows while Flashlight beams swept back and forth below.
Two guards were searching each side of the Corridor with their Flashlights.
Not far away were two Lab a.s.sistants. One of them, looking anxious, asked, “Have you found anything?”
“Not yet!” one guard replied and couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, “That d.a.m.n kid was right about something being up. How did I get so unlucky? But someone breaking in… that’s completely impossible…”